Seraikella Chhau Barsa Jham Jham by Anjali Desai and Pradeep Kabi

Manasa-Art Without Frontiers presented its Omkara Dance Festival & Seminar 2024 curated by Guru Sharon Lowen at the India International Centre, New Delhi May 31-June 1, 2024. The festival highlighted Odissi from Odisha and Delhi and Seraikella Chhau from Jharkhand including disciples of Sharon lowen and those of Padmashri & Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee gurus, Kumkum Mohanty, Ranjana Gauhar and late Gopal Dubey’s Trinetra Chhau Centre.
Seraikella Chhau by 'Trinetra' Chhau Dance Centre, Seraikella, founded by Late Guru Pt. Gopal Dubey, (Padmashree & SNA Awardee)
Seraikella Chhau is one of three genres in contiguous states, traditionally performed during Chaitra Parva. Seraikella Chhau of Jharkhand is performed with masks, as is Purulia Chhau of West Bengal, developed under royal patronage as that of Mayurbhanj, Odisha. In Seraikella, royalty also choreographed and performed alongside dancers of many communities. Seraikella chhau was added to UNESCO’s intangible Heritage of India in 2010 and Chhau has recently been recognized by the ministry of Culture as a classical form of Indian Dance.
Barsa Jham Jham-
Rain showers on this cloudy night with the sweet raindrops creating a yearning for the union of love in the hearts of the eternal man and woman. Amidst cloudburst and thunder, the eternal beloved finds solace and refuge in the arms of the lover. Clouds clear, stars and moon appear and the mridangam drum beats and flute play attuned to love in full glory. Melody based on Raag Desh and tala is Teentaal of 16 beats.
Performed by Anjali Desai and Pradeep Kabi
Musicians are Sunil Kr. Dubey - Harmonium, Deoraj Dubey - Flute, Binod Pradhan - Dhol, Baburam Sardar - Nagara